A former Thanet councillor injured a woman while trying to escape with more than £847 worth of goods stolen from a garden centre, it has been alleged.

Helen Smith was “tracked” around the Wyevale Garden Centre in Thanet by staff - because of a "previous incident", a jury was told

Smith, 53, from St John's Avenue, Ramsgate denies theft, assault and driving dangerously in April 2015.

Prosecutor Craig Evans claimed Smith had gone with her partner, together with a guide dog - to the garden centre.

There, he alleged, the couple piled items on a trolley - from gold chocolate bunnies to a parasol...but left the store separately.

The prosecutor said: "Staff took the view that the items weren't being carefully selected. They appeared by have been indiscriminately thrown into the trolley. "

He said Smith's partner paid for some items "but certainly not for all" and it might have been “a ruse” by Smith to pretend they had been bought.

“Staff noticed that the trolley was packed so high that it towered over a wall which surrounded a restaurant.”

The jury heard that Smith was tracked for between 30 to 45 minutes before staff “got themselves into position in case Smith tried to leave the store without paying (for the items)”, the jury heard.

Smith and her partner left through the front entrance “without attempting to pay”, it was alleged.

Outside, Smith got into a Fiat and staff “fearing that items were about to be stolen had positioned a staff van to prevent them leaving and alerted police.”

Mr Evans claimed that staff member Kerry Walker asked the couple for a receipt for the goods in the car.

“Despite saying they had one, neither was able to produce a receipt. Smith then turned on the engine and tried to reverse, hitting Ms Walker with its wing mirror.

“As she reversed, the car hit the company van and Ms Walker then "bravely" stood in front of the Fiat.

Smith then moved forward and the car struck Ms Walker’s ankle, causing her to shout out in pain.

“At this point Mrs Smith’s partner started laughing claiming Ms Walker was making it up, “ the prosecutor alleged.

After the police arrived checks were made and the garden centre claimed that no sale above £479.20 had been made that day, “the jury was told.

Kieran Brand, defending, told the court that Smith admitted being in the store that day and “will say they she and her partner were shopping legitimately and denied selecting items indiscriminately.

“She will say they were selecting items for the Easter and summer.

“It was her understanding that her partner had purchased the items before leaving.

“It was at this point that a blonde-haired lady (Ms Walker) stood in front of the vehicle and asked to see the receipt.

“Mrs Smith’s partner said he thought it was in the back but told her to drive away as they had done nothing wrong.”

Mr Brand added that Smith claimed Ms Walker then stood in front of the vehicle telling her “Go on hit me..then I can do you for assault!”

The trial of a second person has been postponed because of illness, the jury heard.

The case continues.